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LOT 1353
Greek Bronze Socketted Spear with Iron Head
12TH-10TH CENTURY B.C.
5 7/8 in. (119 grams total, 15 cm).
With foliate head and short tubular socketted shaft. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceEx German collection, Cologne, 1980-1990s.
LiteratureCf. D'Amato, R., Salimbeti, A., Early Iron Age Greek Warrior, 1100-700 B.C., figs on pp.18-19.
FootnotesSnodgrass assigns the Athenian iron spearheads to the type A, i.e. spearheads with a leaf-shaped blade, a long socket and a midrib running to the tip. The bronze ones were assigned to typologies C – small, with a leaf-shaped blade (like the present specimen) - and D – with the socket as long as the blade, rounded shoulders and pronounced midrib. Both socket types were beaten round a cylindrical bar, a conservative method to produce bronze sockets even if the head was made of iron.
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Roman 'Julius Caesar' Slingshot from the Battle of Munda
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A biconical facetted lentoid-section lead sling shot (glans), inscription monogram a combination of letters 'C', 'A' and 'E', for 'C A E S' referring to Julius Caesar. 68.9 grams, 37 mm
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